2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Smart City Coupe MOT pass rate and common faults

372 MOT tests in 2024. 57.8% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time57.8%
Failed or needed repairs42.2%
Typical mileage at test67,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 372 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect7.0%
  2. Stop lamp: not working6.2%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.6%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.3%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    13 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.4%
  9. Headlamp aim: too high2.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics41.1%
  2. Suspension15.1%
  3. Brakes14.0%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.4%
  5. Body & chassis7.8%
  6. Tyres7.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.7%
  8. Steering4.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.2%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.9%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Smart City Coupe?

In 2024, 57.8% of 2005 Smart City Coupe cars passed their MOT first time, across 372 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Smart City Coupe?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; stop lamp: not working; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Smart City Coupe reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).